🛍️ The Courtyard Shopping Event & Shepperton Village Fair 🎟️

Gareth: 00:00:55

This time on the Sheppertonian.

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:00:56

All of it is very cohesive and it's just. It's lovely and you never know where it takes you, who you're going to meet. That's really important as well.

And because I'm based in Walton myself, so it's really nice to come to a different area to meet other people and I think it's just really important.

Dik Gregory: 00:01:12

It started there as an idea.

th of May,: 1973

Gareth: 00:01:33

Hello and welcome to the Sheppertonian, the podcast that celebrates the people, the places and stories that make our village the brilliant place it is. I'm Gareth, and in this month's episode, we've got something a little different.

First, I popped down to the courtyard at Shepperton Lock, where a pop up shopping event brought together some brilliant local businesses, from dog treats and homemade marmalade to premium cookware and salted caramel cupcakes. You'll hear a handful of friendly voices from that event, sharing not just what they sell, but why being part of the community matters so much.

Then later in the episode, I'm joined by Dik Gregory, the long standing chair of the Shepperton Village Fair Committee.

ory, from a football match in: 1972

So whether you're a longtime local or new to the village, there's something in this episode for everyone. Let's begin at the Lock.

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:02:44

Hi, my name's Rhiannon. I'm the own of Tulip Treasures Florists based here in Shepperton. We are open seven days a week.

We offer same day delivery and click and collect seven days a week. And we have a variety of fresh flowers available every day.

Gareth: 00:02:58

Lovely. Right, thank you very much. Thank you.

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:03:00

No worries. Well, enjoy.

Gareth: 00:03:02

Yeah, look out. For the next episode, Here we are at Hamhaugh Hops with Simon. Well, Simon is your name.

Could you introduce your business and what you're showcasing today? So this is Hamhaugh Hops. We're a very small microbrewery just behind Nauticalia, and at the moment we're selling our beers.

But I Wanted to thank the Shepperton community because it's been so successful that I've hardly got any left. But the opportunity to come taste is happening today and we're also selling some other stuff as well. But so thank you to Shepperton.

What a wonderful community. And why are events like this really important?

It's about getting your name out because for me, nobody really knows who I am, where I am, and we get, get that a lot. Didn't know this was here. Didn't know you were here. So it's about letting people know that we're down here.

It's a new venture and come and come and enjoy the beer. Lovely. Thank you very much, Simon.

Dik Gregory: 00:03:58

Thank you.

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:03:59

My name is Kat and our business is called Totally Tangerine Cookery. We are just about to do a demo, a cooking demo, making Chinese dumplings gyozas. So, yeah, we teach children, teenagers and adults how to cook.

Our business can also do private team building activities for groups, private parties, children's cookery parties. So anything to do with food.

Gareth: 00:04:22

Lovely. I can confirm I definitely did not have one of your delicious cakes earlier.

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:04:27

No, you didn't. No, I didn't see anything.

Gareth: 00:04:28

The evidence was definitely not destroyed. Best of luck with the demonstration.

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:04:33

Thank you very much for popping in today.

Gareth: 00:04:35

Hello. Who do we have here? What's your name? What's your business?

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:04:41

I'm Niki. I'm from Niki Bakes.

Gareth: 00:04:43

Ah, lovely. What are you showcasing today?

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:04:45

I am showcasing all of my gluten free cakes and bakes.

Dik Gregory: 00:04:48

Okay.

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:04:49

And we have everything from a very sweet, kind of sexy salted caramel pistachio all the way to kind of fruity flavors which are lemon and raspberry cupcakes. We've got a tuck box of little bits and gobs, classic brownies and my best sellers, which are vanilla cake and an iced carrot cake.

Gareth: 00:05:06

Ah, best sellers. Okay. Why are those popular?

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:05:10

Well, I think it's because I started off with these bakes and they just, people just keep coming back to them again and again. I have thankfully a loyal customer base that gravitate, get the regulars and then they get the specials that I do every week as well.

Gareth: 00:05:23

Lovely. So why do you think events like this are important for businesses like yours?

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:05:28

Oh, gosh, they are so, so important.

Not just for the visibility but for the community and for the people that visit to feel a part of something and it makes us feel very, you know, all of it is very cohesive and it's just, it's lovely and you never know where it takes you. Who you're going to meet. That's really important as well.

And because I'm based in Walton myself, so it's really nice to come to a different area to meet other people. And I think it's just really important, obviously for us as well. To be able to survive.

Gareth: 00:05:55

Yeah, absolutely.

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:05:56

To be able to carry on.

Gareth: 00:05:57

And it's very good of you to organize the sunshine today. That's very nice.

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:06:02

We're very, very lucky. Very lucky indeed. Although we do have some shelter as well. But so come rain or shine, we're here if you don't decide to rain.

But it's clear blue skies here, so we're very happy.

Gareth: 00:06:12

Nice one. Thank you, Niki.

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:06:13

Thank you.

Gareth: 00:06:14

All right.

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:06:15

I'm Ashley and I'm a women's wellbeing coach, hypnotherapist and mother, mother of two, which is what led me to create Mother's Sanctuary. So it's a weekly retreat on your doorstep. It takes place every Monday evening.

It's a sanctuary for women to come, a place to learn how to self regulate, to learn about their mind, so to de stress, to stop the negative cycles. And it's all wrapped up in a beautiful bundle of. We do some breath work, movement, meditation.

So it's just a lovely space for women to come and get some support.

Gareth: 00:06:48

Wonderful. Why do you think events like this are important?

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:06:51

Well, I mean, I've been working online for about six years and I love it and it obviously affords me to be able to travel and spend a lot of time with my children. But since I moved to Weybridge, I really, you know, started to integrate in my children going to the schools.

For me, I wanted to really reach the local community and do something very specifically for the mothers that I'm meeting all the time and respond to what they're experiencing. So I wanted to come along and, you know, meet the lovely community and everyone here is. They're doing.

I mean, I'm going to buy something from everyone.

Gareth: 00:07:24

That's the problem, isn't it?

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:07:25

I'm just happy to be here. I mean, I'm doing these meditation tasters and people can come and I think a lot of people think they can't meditate and it's.

They either think, oh, no, that's not for me. And actually we all can and we all should have the opportunity to learn what it really is and what it means.

So I'm just really keen for a lot of people to have a little bit more peace in their lives.

Gareth: 00:07:47

Yeah.

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:07:48

So, yeah, so that's why I'm here, bringing peace amidst the jam and the cake and the lovely drinks.

Gareth: 00:07:53

Lovely. Thank you very much.

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:07:55

We're Hog's Back Jams & Chutneys. It's all homemade and most of it's homegrown.

Gareth: 00:08:01

Wow.

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:08:01

Yeah. Obviously we don't grow mangoes. We have to buy those in, but otherwise. Okay. And my marmalades, I get the fruit direct from Spain.

That way I know it's come straight from the orchard. No wax on the peel, and it's not been sitting in a warehouse.

Gareth: 00:08:20

Right, okay. So does the wax on the peel hold everything up?

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:08:24

Well, you get it in your. Would you like. You know, you don't think about it, do you?

Gareth: 00:08:28

Wouldn't want that on the table.

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:08:29

A lot of people ask me, why can't I set my marmalade? And I say, what are you using? And they say, oranges or lemons or limes? And I say, is it unwaxed fruit? And they look at me gone out.

They don't understand. So I said, well, you think about the wax you're putting in to your products. If you make sure you buy unwaxed fruit and fresh and that way it sets.

All right. Fantastic.

Gareth: 00:08:57

So you've come a long way today.

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:08:59

Fairly long way. We used to live in Adelstone, so I've got a lot of contacts here.

And a friend of mine rang me and said, can you bring up your jams and chutneys to ourselves? So we've driven here from. We're halfway between Guildford and Farnham on the Hogsback.

Gareth: 00:09:15

Yeah, lovely. Thank you very much. All right, good luck today.

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:09:19

Thank you very much.

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:09:20

So my name is Dennis. The company is Kitchen Square. We sell premium cookwares and accessories, etc.

So for today, we have brought in lots of colorful silicone kitchen tools and gadgets. And also we have some made in Japan stainless steel coranda, Mexican bowls, mesh trays, etc. So for all the Coke lovers as.

Gareth: 00:09:46

Well, what do events like this mean to you and your business?

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:09:49

I think this event provides a very great opportunity for us to face the end of the consumers. Because normally we sell online and we are not able to know people's feedback.

And I think this is very important for us to introduce more interesting and quality products to the general public.

Gareth: 00:10:14

Thank you ever so much.

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:10:15

This a marvelous bake. So this is dog treat day today. So stock treats and branded cookie jars and treat jars. So cookie jars, treat jars. So today is all about the dog.

And then my other day job is all about the cookies. So cookies and bakes. And then selling jars at a brand new.

Gareth: 00:10:35

I'm just constantly hungry. They look absolutely brilliant. So what do events like this mean to your business?

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:10:44

Oh, this is all about. Because it's quite new, this business. So this is about just getting the word out locally so people can see what we've got to offer. Supporting.

Yeah, local. Local people and local businesses. It's all very good, getting the name out, meet people. It's only a tenor for that one.

Gareth: 00:10:59

Nice one.

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:11:00

Thank you. We're Emily and Lucy and we started this about four years ago and we're just a small home and gardenware decor.

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:11:10

And the name, it's escaped to the heart.

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:11:14

Whoa.

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:11:14

Yeah.

Gareth: 00:11:14

Yeah. So, and what are you showcasing today?

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:11:17

Well, our new range, really.

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:11:18

We've just got a lot of new.

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:11:20

Products in for spring, like handmade soaps.

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:11:24

And that's a new range. Pillow mists and a lot of new home and garden wear. Now the weather's getting better. My name is Krista. I have Skylar's Baby Boutique and Bella Ropa.

Bella Ropa we've had for two years and Skylar's Baby Boutique one year. Just showcasing all our gorgeous new summer stock ready for the nice warm days ahead.

We have clothes in the baby shop going from prem baby to six years and in the ladies shop from a size six to a size 20.

Gareth: 00:11:58

Lovely. And what do events like today mean for you and your business?

The Courtyard Businesses: 00:12:02

Oh, it's just a great day. It's a really lovely atmosphere down here anyway.

But even better on days like today, it brings more new people here to show our shops because it is a little hidden gem. Not everyone knows about the shops here and then when they do come, it's somewhere they return to.

Gareth: 00:13:36

I'm joined today by Dik Gregory, chair of the Shepperton Village Fair Committee. The fair is one of Shepperton's biggest annual events.

Returning to Manor park on Saturday 14th June, we're on site in Manor park, sat by the river on a bench. I mean, how lovely is that? And we're going to hear from Dik what's in store this year and why the fair continues to matter.

So, Dik, let's start with a bit of history. When and how did the fair come about?

Dik Gregory: 00:14:05

h at a football match back in: 1972

Football match between the Entertainers 11 and the Shepperton Chamber of Commerce and Entertainers. Yeah, the Entertainers 11, I guess it was TV personalities. And so Forth.

Gareth: 00:14:32

Was that connected with the studio or something?

Dik Gregory: 00:14:34

Just local personalities, I think. And it started there as an idea.

th of May: 1973

We missed two years because of COVID but. Or it would have been 53.

Gareth: 00:15:04

Amazing. And you've been involved with this a long time. How and when did you personally become involved?

Dik Gregory: 00:15:10

I have been involved a long time. I got involved.

tary to the committee back in: 1997

Gareth: 00:15:35

What's the core purpose of the fair? Let's talk about that. What is it all about?

Dik Gregory: 00:15:39

Yeah. The fair is an annual non profit making event run by volunteer local residents for the benefit and enjoyment of the whole community. That's the point.

While enabling local charitable groups, youth organisations and so forth to make some money. In fact, many of the charities that have stalls at the fair tell us that it is the most important fundraising event of the year for them.

So it's extremely important for that reason. So that's what it's all about. The organisers are essentially unpaid. They're volunteers. We're independent of everyone.

We don't belong to any organisation, Chamber of commerce, council, nothing to do with any of them. And the fare therefore seeks only to break even.

Gareth: 00:16:33

Right.

Dik Gregory: 00:16:33

That's all we do. We just raise enough money to break even so that we can put the fare on.

Gareth: 00:16:38

And roughly how much would that involve?

Dik Gregory: 00:16:41

When I started 25 years ago, the annual budget to put the fare on was about £10,000. It's now £35,000.

Gareth: 00:16:51

Okay.

Dik Gregory: 00:16:51

Is what we actually need. Half of it comes from stall holders and revenues we get on the day from, for instance, the fairground man and so forth.

The other half comes from sponsorship and grants and so forth.

Gareth: 00:17:06

Right. I've seen on your website there are levels of sponsorship, aren't there?

Dik Gregory: 00:17:12

Yeah, that's right.

That was an innovation about 15 years ago by person who was running sponsorship at the time and it's proved extremely successful because it makes it all very clear about what the levels are and makes it very clear how people can contribute to the extent they want to and so forth. So we have. Yes, platinum, gold, silver and bronze.

Gareth: 00:17:33

And it's lovely to see all these local businesses contributing to the, to the fair and the running of it.

Dik Gregory: 00:17:40

Yes, that's right. And everyone can choose their own level of contribution without fear or favor.

And it's, it's, it makes it all very straightforward and easy to understand. And I, for my sins, I also raise the. I'm responsible for sponsorship as well. Oh, I am.

Gareth: 00:17:57

Right.

Dik Gregory: 00:17:58

And we just finished the round of sponsorship for this year's fair and our target was about 15, 17,000 pounds. And despite all of the issues at the moment and cost of living and all the rest of it, it's actually, we've been pretty successful.

We've hit our target.

Gareth: 00:18:15

I think it's things like this that people cling on to. Isn't it a. It's a really fun day out.

Dik Gregory: 00:18:19

Yeah.

Gareth: 00:18:21

So far you're doing the sponsorship, you're the chair. How many people are on the committee and what other kind of roles are there?

Dik Gregory: 00:18:27

Nine.

Gareth: 00:18:28

Nine. Only nine people?

Dik Gregory: 00:18:30

Nine people on the committee that run the whole thing. And each one, each one has a different area of responsibility. We have someone looks after the attractions.

We have someone who looks after the field organization and field stall holder allocation. Another activity is the organization of a very large marquee that we put up each year.

And in fact the, the people that run that particular side of the operation. Jane and Bill Boyle, who Jane, of course, you interviewed a few months ago.

Gareth: 00:19:02

Yeah. For the big tree night.

Dik Gregory: 00:19:03

Yeah.

Gareth: 00:19:04

Let's talk about the evolution of the fair. How has the fair changed over the years? It's been going 51 years. So for the, say for the years that you've been involved, what changes have you seen?

Dik Gregory: 00:19:17

Yeah, well, certainly when it first happened sort of 50 years ago, there were 25 stalls and Dale Martin Promotions wrestling, if anyone remembers that was the, was the main.

Gareth: 00:19:28

Bring it back.

Dik Gregory: 00:19:28

Bring the wrestling back, was the main. Was the main event. But obviously that, that's changed over time and, and when I first started sort of 25, 26, 27 years ago, it was a smaller affair.

There were an awful lot of stalls that look more like a boot sale.

Gareth: 00:19:46

Right.

Dik Gregory: 00:19:46

Than anything. People always had a great time and it was a great community event.

But things have changed over the years so that we've now got around about 150 stalls that happen. 50 of them in the big marquee that I was mentioning.

A lot more displays and attractions and a lot more local businesses involved in the fair, not just in sponsorship, but in terms of store holding and so forth, and basically relating to their customers and their public. And of course, we got all of the preschools and schools involved via the procession, which is a fairly unique part of the fair.

Gareth: 00:20:27

Is that themed? Is there a theme?

Dik Gregory: 00:20:29

There's always a theme for the procession and this year it's Shepperton Showcase, celebrating local talent as we look at all of the groups and what they can do and how they see themselves. And there's a theme every year that's designed to appeal to the schools and preschools.

That theme is also offered to another big event which is targeting rather older people, the race.

And sometimes they go with the theme of these smaller kids and sometimes they say, no, that's not going to work for us, we'll go to the movies or whatever.

Gareth: 00:21:07

Is that happening again this year?

Dik Gregory: 00:21:09

It most certainly is.

And we're very grateful to Nauticalia and to Desborough Sailing Club Club for their participation, involvement in helping with the funding and the logistics of that raft race. Last year, I think we had about 14 or 15 rafts.

This year we're hoping for a greater number, not only because there's a lot more promotional activity going into it, and because Nauticalia in particular are providing facilities for building rafts, helping to construct with advice and consultancy and so forth. Also storage of the rafts as well. So there's a lot happening logistically with that and also with promotionally, where we've got.

And we've got a new member, sort of half member of the committee, as it were, Martin Cockburn, who's actually going to inject a great deal of energy into the commentary on this very riverbank on which we're sitting.

Gareth: 00:22:08

Fantastic.

Dik Gregory: 00:22:09

So that should be. Should be great.

And of course, Desborough Sailing Club, who provide another essential side of the logistics in terms of safety, boats and knowledge of the river and so forth. So that's all happening.

And this year we've been approached by the regional scouting organization, who are promising to enter up to 10 additional rafts in addition to the ones we normally have.

Gareth: 00:22:35

So that's going to be a site, isn't it?

Dik Gregory: 00:22:36

It should be.

Gareth: 00:22:37

My word. So, moving from the river, then over to the park. Any particular events, performances, community groups, what can we expect to see this year?

Dik Gregory: 00:22:47

o' clock, that's: 11:15

And there's around 500 people, 500, 600 people in that procession coming down all of the preschools and schools and so forth.

That actually has the effect of assembling a lot of people down the high street and then dragging them all into the fair where there's a sudden influx of all these people, which is great. Which then kicks the whole afternoon off. The fair is going to be opened this year by our VIP guest, Lincoln Jopp mp. Right. Who is going to be.

Apparently he's very enthusiastically accepted the opening of that. So we're looking forward to what he has to say for a couple of minutes, no more.

And then in the arena we'll have the Harley Davidsons again, which is a. Something that I helped to bring about 20 years ago by virtue of being a chapter member of the Hogsback chapter in Guildford.

And in fact I was the director of the chapter for 15 years. So that enabled the. A bit of a cementing of the relationship between the chapter and. And the fair. They'll be here again.

We have Spelthorne Gymnastics again. It's always very, very popular. Stars, Performing arts. They'll be doing a display. We got Shepperton Kung Fu with a.

A kung fu master who will be entertaining us. And then Kelly Stewart Academy of Performing Arts, they'll be doing something in the arena. We know. Know not what exactly yet, but.

But they will be there. And of course we've talked about the race, but also all afternoon in another section of the.

The main site, we'll have the live music stage, which is put together now, produced for us by John Jagger, who is. Will be. There'll be two sets of his new band and a bunch of other people in between, local musicians and so forth. So we're looking forward to that.

Gareth: 00:25:01

That's brilliant. And of course, tons of food stalls, business stalls, charity stalls. So much to see.

Dik Gregory: 00:25:09

Absolutely. 150 of those with lots of, as you say, food stalls and outlets. And including this year we have had the Thai.

The Thai restaurant, Thai Bite in previous years that's now been taken over by Kinnery Thai. They will have just opened and. But they will be on the site.

Gareth: 00:25:28

Excellent.

Dik Gregory: 00:25:29

Giving us a good exposure.

Gareth: 00:25:31

That's a lovely way to introduce themselves to the community as well.

Dik Gregory: 00:25:35

They jumped at the chance. Yes.

Gareth: 00:25:37

So if someone listening wants to help or volunteer or support the fair somehow, how can they get involved?

Dik Gregory: 00:25:44

Simply by emailing us by which the contact details are on our website. Shepperton Fair f a I r.org we're on Instagram, Blue sky and of course Facebook.

So they can just contact any contents any which way and just express an interest.

And if they do and we welcome it, then we will set up a, a very informal little chat meeting just to find out what mutual interests there are and to see where we can plug you in.

I mentioned that we have eight or nine people on the committee, we have about 50 odd on the day who actually run the fair as a day activity and we're always looking for people to do that.

So the point there is that there's various levels of commitment that are possible just a few hours on the day right the way back through to on the organising committee. And whilst we like to keep the committee fairly small, we're always looking for ways in which the fair survives the leaving of any of us.

So you know, there needs to be succession.

And so we're always looking for people who are interested in perhaps shadowing a particular a current member in order to actually get a sense of what it's all about and how they can help.

Gareth: 00:27:02

Most brilliant. Brilliant. So did I hear there was going to be a raffle as well?

Dik Gregory: 00:27:07

There is, you heard correctly.

We've had a raffle in past years which kind of was neither here nor there but last year it was really or last couple of years it's been revived and it proved very popular to fair goers and it actually helps with a nice build up to the fair as well because we sell raffle tickets on the high street and so forth and it's actually a very important become a very important way of helping to sub the fair and actually fund it. And this year we've got some rather bigger prizes which is hopefully excite a few people.

Two of which there are 10 or 12 prizes in our now grand raffle. Two of them in particular are the sort of the really, really grand prizes.

And one is a weekend with a Land Rover of your choice supplied by Sitna JLR who will deliver the Land Rover on a Friday evening and collect it on a Monday and allow you to unencumbered days, full days with a new Land Rover Defender or a Range Row of Discovery or whatever. And that's worth about a thousand pounds.

Gareth: 00:28:20

Wow.

Dik Gregory: 00:28:21

So that's, that's a really cool prize.

And the, the other prize we're very, very happy to announce is from Pinewood Shepperton Studios who are donating a VIP tour for two money can't buy of Pinewood Studios.

Gareth: 00:28:37

Amazing. That's absolutely fantastic. So what would you like to say to listeners about the spirit of the fair now and in the future. What would you say?

Dik Gregory: 00:28:50

I think the main thing to say really is that whatever the level of contribution to the fair from organizers, volunteers, sponsors, stallholders, performers and families coming along to enjoy a summer's afternoon, whatever the level of that contribution, all play a hugely valuable role in sustaining the community spirit that makes Shepparton what it is. A very cool village in which to grow and thrive.

Gareth: 00:29:23

Oh, Dik Gregory, Chair of the Shepparton Village Fair Committee, thank you ever so much for joining me.

Dik Gregory: 00:29:30

Thank you.

Gareth: 00:29:33

What's going on in Shepperton? Sponsored by Shepperton Matters. Here we go.

And remember, you can subscribe to the Sheppertonian newsletter via the website at thesheppertonian.uk for a full list of what's going on in June.

On Wednesday 4 June from 10am to 12pm, there's a talk by local author Paul Saunders about his new novel Veritas at Hillary's Hut, Ashford Community Association, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford TW15 3NJ on Saturday the 7th and Sunday the 8th June from 10am to 4pm, there's Sunbury working Artists Art Trail. Look out for notices regarding open studios in the village and on Sunbury Working Artists Facebook page.

at r housebarn.co.uk or phone: 01932

On Tuesday 10th June from 8.25am to 3.45pm Very specific. It can only be a school. Yes, Halliford School are having a sixth form open event.

They're hosting a sixth form in focus where year 10 students interested in Halliford School for the sixth form have the opportunity to enjoy a day of taster lessons and wonderful Halliford hospitality. Their welcoming parents to join them for refreshments and an informal Q and A session.

On Saturday 14 June from 12 till 5pm it's Shepperton Village Fair in Manor park in Shepperton this year showcasing spectacular Shepperton stalls, entertainment, music, food, gifts and of course the magnificent raft race. On Sunday 15th June from 2 till 4pm it's Music in the Park. Thames Harmony Chorus will be performing at the Walled Gardens, Thames Street, Sunbury.

A chair or picnic blanket, refreshments from the cafe. This is a free event. And finally on Saturday the 28th and Sunday the 29th of June, it's the Rose show at Squire's Garden Centre, Shepperton.

And that's free to enter. And that's what's going on in June.

Dik Gregory: 00:31:54

Hear this.

Gareth: 00:31:55

The Sheppertonian shout out. So I was sent an amazing message the other day from someone who used to live in the Shepperton area.

I won't spoil it for you, but I was so touched that ex Shepperton resident Grant Ryder listens from so far away and that he recognises the sense of community that Shepparton offers. Thanks so much, Grant. And for you, dear listener, enjoy.

Grant Ryder: 00:32:24

Hi, Gareth.

Grant Ryder: 00:32:25

lifornia, to Orange county in: 2000

I live in a lovely place called Mission Viejo. I just discovered your podcasts and I've been listening to them back to back as I've been driving around here and thoroughly enjoyed them.

They are very. It's a tranquil existence when I look back on Shepperton compared with maybe a.

Grant Ryder: 00:32:55

Busier area that I live in now.

Grant Ryder: 00:32:57

But nevertheless, thank you so much for doing that. And it just shows the social interaction and the community spirit is still going there and that's a great thing.

So thanks again and keep up the good work. Bye.

Gareth: 00:33:14

That's it for this month's edition of the Sheppertonian. A huge thank you to all the brilliant stallholders who spoke to me at the Courtyard. And of course, a special thanks to Dik Gregory for joining me.

The Shepperton Village Fair truly is one of the highlights of our local calendar, and it's powered entirely by volunteers and local goodwill. You can find all past episodes and links at www.thesheppertonian.uk.

and don't forget to follow us on your favourite podcast app, so you never miss an episode. Until next time. Take care and I'll see you.